Compact portable humidifier

Abstract

A portable electric humidifier uses a flexible, disposable bag as a container for water, to provide a compact, collapsible, and easily portable system. A humidifier head contains a motor and an air humidifying apparatus such as a spinning disk and conical shaft. The head is supported on folding legs. The flexible bag is supported by and hangs beneath the humidifier head. The conical shaft extends downwardly from the spinning disk and draws water from the bag and conveys it to the disk, from which it is dispersed in an air stream into a room. The shaft in one embodiment telescopes, to occupy a minimum vertical distance for storage within the height of the folded legs, and in another embodiment is removable for storage. The flexible bag container is inexpensive and may be discarded after use at one location, prior to packing for further travel. Thus, the humidifier provides overnight humidification for a hotel room or the like, while being conveniently packable for transportation in any small suitcase.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. An improved portable humidifier for use on a horizontal surface, the humidifier comprising: a compact humidifier head including means for generating a stream of air and for enriching the water content of said stream of air and a horizontally-extending annular support surface formed about and spaced from said means;   a flexible bag carried by said humidifier head and adapted to hold water in communicatin with said means for enriching the water content of said stream of air;   the flexible bag having an upper opening and a relatively stiff, generally flat collar means extending outwardly from said upper opening for engagement with and support by said support surface of said humidifier head; and   support legs connected to said humidifier head, said legs being foldable to a first position to lie immediately below the head and extendible to a second position to support the head a fixed distance above said surface, whereby the flexible bag holds sufficient water when said legs are in their second position for distribution into a room over a desired time to achieve effective room humidification.     
     
     
       2. The portable humidifier defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible bag is disposable and is adapted to be discarded and replaced with a fresh bag after use. 
     
     
       3. The portable humidifier defined in claim 1, wherein the bag and its collar means are generally rectangular in top plan form. 
     
     
       4. The portable humidifier defined in claim 1, wherein each of the support legs is comprised of one generally flat member pivotably connected to the head for positioning in a first, use position extending vertically downwardly from said head and supporting the head above said horizontal surface, and in a second, storage and travel position located closely under the head. 
     
     
       5. An improved portable humidifier for use on a horizontal surface, the humidifier comprising: a compact humidifier head including means for generating a stream of air and for enriching the water content of said stream of air;   a flexible bag carried by said humidifier head and adapted to hold water in communication with said means for enriching the water content of said stream of air;   the flexible bag having an upper opening and a relatively stiff, generally flat collar means about said upper opening for engagement with and support by said humidifier head; and   support legs connected to said humidifier head, said legs being foldable to a first position to lie immediately below the head and extendible to a second position to support the head a fixed distance above said surface, whereby the flexible bag holds sufficient water when said legs are in their second position for distribution into a room over a desired time to achieve effective room humidification and wherein     the compact humidifier head further comprises top and bottom portions which interfit together with one another, the support legs being connected to said bottom portion and said bottom portion having a horizontal bag support surface thereon extending between said support legs, and wherein the flexible bag collar means is receivable upon said bag support surface for use.   
     
     
       6. The portable humidifier defined in claim 5, further comprising clamp means for removably connecting the top and bottom portions of the head together for use and for releasing the top and bottom portions for separation for filling and removal and placement of the flexible bag. 
     
     
       7. An improved portable humidifier for use on a horizontal surface, the humidifier comprising: a compact humidifier head including means for generating a stream of air and for enriching the water content of said stream of air;   a flexible bag carried by said humidifier head and adapted to hold water in communication with said means for enriching the water content of said stream of air;   the flexible bag having an upper opening and a relatively stiff, generally flat collar means about said upper opening for engagement with and support by said humidifier head; and   support legs connected to said humidifier head, said legs being foldable to a first position to lie immediately below the head and extendible to a second position to support the head a fixed distance above said surface, whereby the flexible bag holds sufficient water when said legs are in their second position for distribution into a room over a desired time to achieve effective room humidification and wherein     the compact head comprises at least three downwardly depending and sidewardly extending lugs and a removable bag holder plate, the bag holder plate having surfaces forming a central aperture for receiving said flexible bag and lugs adapted to engage the support lugs in the head.   
     
     
       8. The portable humidifier defined in claim 7, wherein the lugs on the head are four in number and extend sidewardly toward one another beneath the head and wherein the lugs on the bag holder plate extend outwardly to positions engageable by the lugs on the head.